Understanding Your Home Equity Options

Understanding the basics of a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) and a Fixed Rate Home Equity Loan can give you confidence in choosing the one that's right for you. We'll explain the differences and benefits of each option.

Improve your financial flexibility

Take advantage of a limited-time low introductory rate on a Home Equity Line of Credit. Learn more

Our lowest rates of the season

Take advantage of a limited-time low introductory rate on a Home Equity Line of Credit.Learn more

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

A HELOC uses your home as collateral for a line of credit that you can access as needed. There are 2 types of HELOCs, a HELOC with a principal and interest draw period or a HELOC with an interest-only draw period. The latter option has asset eligibility requirements. With both options, you'll be approved for a specific line amount to draw from multiple times, up to your available credit limit.

The HELOC includes 2 phases:

The draw period, when you can access your funds

The repayment period, when you repay the outstanding balance at the end of your draw period

Because a HELOC is flexible and usually has a higher limit, it's generally used to pay for large items like tuition or home improvements rather than day-to-day expenses. Some homeowners also use a HELOC to consolidate higher-interest-rate debt.

If you plan to sell your home

If you sell your home, you'll be required to pay off the full amount of your HELOC or Fixed Rate Home Equity Loan immediately. Keep in mind that if you pay in full and close the line of credit within 36 months, you may also have to pay additional charges. If you're likely to sell your home in the near future, you may want to consider a loan instead.

Apply in person

Apply by phone

Already applied?

Need help?

Important Disclosures

Terms, conditions and fees for accounts, programs, products and services are subject to change.

Home equity lines and loans are not offered for collateral properties located in Alaska. A home equity line or loan is available for single family residential properties (including co-ops in New York, Illinois, District of Columbia, New Jersey and Maryland). Home equity lines are also available for 2-4 family homes that are primary residences (excluding Texas). Home equity loans are also available for 2-family homes that are primary residences (excluding Texas). In Texas, home equity lines and loans are only available on collateral properties that are single family, primary residences. Home equity lines and loans are not available for mobile homes in any state. Certain limitations apply. Lines of credit and loans are subject to credit approval. Rates are subject to change without notice. All rates are current as of 02/21/2018.

For Home Equity Lines of Credit: Variable Annual Percentage Rate (APR) can be as low as Prime plus 0.59% (currently 5.09% variable APR) and as high as Prime plus 3.49% (currently 7.99% variable APR). To qualify for the lowest rate, customers must meet relationship balance requirements (as of the closing date); have excellent credit; use Citibank Auto Deduct (an automated monthly debit from a Citibank deposit account) for repayment; meet certain loan-to-value and lien position requirements; take an initial draw of at least $25,000 at closing; and have a line amount of at least $100,000. Rates will vary depending on the state where the collateral property is located. Additional rate discounts may apply. The variable APR is indexed to the Prime Rate as published in the "Money Rates" section of The Wall Street Journal. Maximum APR is 18%. Annual fee: $50 during the draw period (not applicable if collateral property is located in Texas). Customers who elect to pay closing costs will receive an additional rate reduction (not applicable if the collateral property is located in Texas). Closing costs can range from approximately $672 to $18,217, except in New York where they can range from approximately $716 to $24,527. Closing costs may vary based upon the line amount, property location and title insurance required. Home equity lines of credit are not available in 1st lien position if the collateral property is located in New York. An Early Closure Release Fee may be charged to recover all costs incurred for originating your loan and may apply if you close your account within 36 months (not applicable if collateral property is located in Texas). Property insurance and the fee to release an existing mortgage may be required. Applicable for loan sizes up to $1 million. No 3rd lien positions. Home Equity Lines of Credit are available to U.S. residents only.

Home Equity Lines of Credit with an interest-only draw period require the borrower(s) to have $200,000 or more in personal assets with Citi, or $1,000,000 or more in combined personal assets with Citi and other financial institutions. Personal assets include, but are not limited to: deposit, checking, savings, money market, investment, Certificates of Deposit, stocks and bonds, retirement, mutual fund, annuities and trust accounts.

For Home Equity Lines of Credit with an interest-only draw period: Your monthly minimum payments during the draw period can be as low as "interest-only". If you choose to pay only the amount of interest due, then at the end of the interest-only period you will still owe the original amount you borrowed and your monthly payments will increase because you must pay back the principal as well as interest. Your payment could increase even more if your variable rate increases. Home Equity Lines of Credit with an interest-only draw period are also available in combination with a Citi mortgage. Please speak to a personal banker for more details.

For Fixed Rate Home Equity Loans: Your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) may be as low as 6.24% APR (as low as 6.49% for New York properties) or as high as 8.49% APR (as high as 8.74% for New York properties). To qualify for the lowest rate, customers must meet loan amount, loan-to-value and term requirements, have excellent credit history, and use Citibank Auto Deduct (an automated monthly debit from a Citibank deposit account) for repayment. If you borrow $50,000 at 6.99% APR for a 30-year term, assuming no down payment, you will make 360 payments of approximately $332.32. Other rates and terms may be available. Repayments can be made over 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years; however, the monthly payment amount may differ from the example used above based on the loan amount and repayment term selected. If you close your account within 36 months an Early Closure Release Fee may be charged to recover all costs incurred for originating your loan (does not apply to collateral properties in Texas). Property insurance and the fee to release an existing mortgage may be required. Fixed rate home equity loans are not available in 1st lien position.

This page of citi.com contains information about U.S. domestic financial services provided by the Citigroup family of companies and is intended for use domestically in the U.S. Terms, conditions and fees for accounts, products, programs and services are subject to change.

Important Information

You are leaving a Citi Website and going to a third party site. That site may have a privacy policy different from Citi and may provide less security than this Citi site. Citi and its affiliates are not responsible for the products, services, and content on the third party website. Do you want to go to the third party site?

Citi is not responsible for the products, services or facilities provided and/or owned by other companies.

Important Information

You are leaving a Citi Website and going to a third party site. That site may have a privacy policy different from Citi and may provide less security than this Citi site. Citi and its affiliates are not responsible for the products, services, and content on the third party website. Do you want to go to the third party site?

Citi is not responsible for the products, services or facilities provided and/or owned by other companies.

Important Information

You are leaving a Citi Website and going to a third party site. That site may have a privacy policy different from Citi and may provide less security than this Citi site. Citi and its affiliates are not responsible for the products, services, and content on the third party website. Do you want to go to the third party site?

Citi is not responsible for the products, services or facilities provided and/or owned by other companies.